Full Breakdown
Azerbaijan Demolishes Armenian Churches in Stepanakert Amid Heritage Dispute
5/4/2026, 1:12:07 AM
Demolition of Churches in Stepanakert
Satellite images from early April 2024 confirm the removal of the Holy Mother of God Cathedral—built 2006-2019—and the 2007 Church of St. Jacob. A fence observed in February surrounded the cathedral; both structures were gone by early April.
Conflict Background
Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, has a majority Armenian population. Azerbaijan regained full control after a September 2023 offensive, following a 2020 war that left the area partially occupied. Control changes have heightened disputes over cultural monuments.
Main Actors
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Caucasus Muslims Board, MP Elnare Akimova, heritage official Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the OSCE Minsk Group, and former USCIRF chair Nadine Maenza.
Timeline
Feb 2024 – Fence erected around the cathedral (social media).
Early Apr 2024 – Satellite imagery shows both churches demolished.
Sep 2023 – Azerbaijan’s offensive restores control of Stepanakert (Khankendi).
Feb 2022 – OSCE Minsk Group activity stalls after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Spring 2024 – Armenian parliamentary elections scheduled.
Official Statements
Azerbaijani officials, via the Caucasus Muslims Board, called the buildings “illegally” constructed during the Armenian occupation and said removal is not heritage destruction. MP Akimova labeled criticism a “provocation by revanchist forces” and cited a state policy of monument preservation. The Mother See accused Baku of deliberately targeting Armenian holy sites to erase Armenian presence. Hovhannisyan noted Azerbaijani narratives omit other historic churches. Prime Minister Pashinyan said his government is gathering information but stopped short of an international campaign.
Criticism
Former USCIRF chair Maenza called the demolitions “cultural genocide” after prior ethnic cleansing. Hovhannisyan questioned Azerbaijan’s claim of religious tolerance, pointing to the destruction of the 18th-century Green Hour and 19th-century Mokhrenes churches in Shushi. Domestic critics in Armenia have reproached Pashinyan for perceived inaction before elections.
Conflicting Reports
Armenian sources describe a systematic effort to erase heritage; Azerbaijani officials describe removal of illegal structures. No independent on-the-ground verification is available, and Azerbaijani statements do not address other historic churches cited by Armenian officials.
Verbatim Quotes
- “deliberately target[ing] Armenian Christian holy sites, seeking to erase the Armenian presence” — Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, governing authority of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
- “cannot be distorted in any way as the destruction of religious or cultural heritage.” — Caucasus Muslims Board.
- “ Elnare Akimova, a member of Azerbaijan’s parliament, called reports of the churches’ destruction “a provocation by revanchist forces” and said Azerbaijan “has preserved religious and historic monuments on its territories as a state policy.” — Elnare Akimova, Member of Azerbaijan’s Parliament.
- “Cultural genocide after the ethnic cleansing of 120,000.” — Nadine Maenza, former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Outlook
Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections may shape its diplomatic response. International heritage bodies and the OSCE Minsk Group could face renewed pressure to investigate, though the Minsk Group’s capacity remains limited. Ongoing satellite monitoring will track any further changes to cultural sites in the region.
